The Monster (1994)

After a series of bizarre actions, Loris is mistaken for a serial killer. Jessica, a policewoman in undercover, will try to induce him to commit a murder.

Director:

Roberto Benigni

Writers:

Roberto Benigni (story), Vincenzo Cerami (story)

Stars:

Roberto Benigni, Michel Blanc, Nicoletta Braschi

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Roberto Benigni	...	Loris
Michel Blanc	...	Paride Taccone
Nicoletta Braschi	...	Jessica Rossetti
Dominique Lavanant	...	Jolanda Taccone
Jean-Claude Brialy	...	Roccarotta
Laurent Spielvogel	...	Frustalupi
Ivano Marescotti	...	Pascucci
Franco Mescolini	...	Chinese Teacher
Massimo Girotti	...	Distinguished Resident
Luciana Palombi	...	Claudia (as Luciana Pieri Palombi)
Vittorio Amandola	...	Antique dealer
Rita Di Lernia	...	Moglie Antiquario (as Maria Rita Bresadola di Lernia)
Gennaro Morrone	...	Edicolante
Vincenzo Vitagliano	...	Lodger
Giulio Turli	...	Tall man

Storyline

A vicious serial sex killer is on the loose, and landscape gardener and shop-window outfitter Loris is the prime suspect, thanks to his unfortunate habit of getting caught in compromising situations (for which there is always a totally innocent explanation that the police fail to spot). Undercover policewoman Jessica is assigned by eccentric police psychologist Taccone to follow Loris and provide evidence for his arrest - but things don't quite go according to plan...

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Plot Keywords:

rapist | killer | murderer | killing spree | suspect | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual humor

Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Chinese Mandarin Italian

Release Date:

19 April 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Monster

Filming Locations:

Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,793, 4 April 1999

Gross USA:

$638,645

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$638,645

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+, IRIS Films, La Sept Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The French cast said all their lines in French. There were all later dubbed in Italian by different actors.

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Alternate Versions

For the French version, Patrick Timsit dubbed Loris and Isabel Otero dubbed Jessica.

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Connections

Spoofs Inferno (1980)

User Reviews

One of the funniest by one of the funniest!

Il Mostro by the Italian master, Roberto Benigni, is his funniest among some very funny movies. The earlier comment to watch it in Italian with subtitles is essential. Some of the humour, both spoken and physical slapstick is a little hard at first for North Americans. Once you fall into the Italian sense of humour it will have you on the floor, Roberto Benigni is the twenty first century's Charlie Chaplin. It is optimum for enjoyment if you have lived in Italy, but not required. Go to Italy afterwards! Like Felleni and the Bertolucci brothers, Benigni reflects a lot of what is intrinsically Italian.

Il Mostro is about a mix up, but what comedy is not, it is really about Roberto, the words, the way the words are said, the body gestures and his mastery of playing. You can fall in love with his visual poetry... then learn Italian. I also recommend the unsung, underrated, Son of Pink Panther, it gives a new twist to the Sellers' humour. It's all that Sellers was and more, this is the true successor to the Pink Panther series! If you like the style of Il Mostro then try the earlier Johnny Stecchino, it is classic Benigni as well!